Tech cocktail: young entrepreneurs need not apply

A mixer event called Tech cocktail is going on tonight. It sounds like a fun way to meet other techies & entrepreneurs here in Chicago.

1 tiny problem, they’re holding the event at a 21 and over bar. 3 of my co-workers won’t be able to attend because they are under 21.

There are plenty of combination restaurant/bar spots in Chicago that card at the bar rather than at the door Many entrepreneurial minded people are under 21, it’s pretty lame to exclude them.

UPDATE: Check out Frank Gruber’s response. We’ll come out to Tech cocktail tonight, if they don’t let our group in because of my co-workers’ age (20), we’ll just hang out in Wrigleyville.

UPDATE2: We didn’t go. The idea of getting turned away didn’t sound terribly appealing.

Chicago young professionals evening entrepreneurial event tomorrow

Event: Evening Entrepreneurial Event
Date: Weds. Jul. 11th; 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Location: Metropolitan Club;
233 S Wacker 67th Fl ( map )
Cost: $10 for Members
$20 for Non-Members
Who: Everyone is Welcome!
RSVP: professional@ypchicago.org by 7/10

This should be a fun event. The last one was.

Anyone else enjoying the heat?

It’s 80 degrees today with 38% humidity in Chicago and I love it!

Chicago suburb driving sucks

If you’ve ever been to the SF Bay Area, can you imagine driving for 45 minutes along El Camino? It’s unheard of. Who in their right mind would drive along that 35 mile per hour road (with all of its traffic lights) when the 101 and 280 surround El Camino?

Here in the Northwest suburbs, it’s common to drive along local roads to get from one destination to another. Today, for example, I drove from Palatine to Evanston along a bunch of local roads. The 20 mile trip took 45 minutes! A comparable Bay Area trip takes 26 minutes.

Guess hookah

I’m relaxing at Guess Hookah Lounge in Chicago. Fun place to chill out. I’ll add more to this post if there’s time (and interest) later.

Do your networking skills need improvement?

According to Career Key there are (at least) 6 networking mistakes you can make at a mixer.

1. Not preparing for the networking event and not having a plan of “attack.”
2. Taking your resume with you to a networking event.
3. Not having a PREPARED and REHEARSED 20 second “mini” speech/introduction about your expertise.
4. Not finding out how you could contribute.
5. Focusing on yourself.
6. Not sending a thank you note.

This has been on my mind because I just attended the Chicago young professionals happy hour. I definitely broke rules 1, 3, and 5. Anyone else have networking suggestions or tips?

Chicago young professionals happy hour tomorrow

The Chicago Young Professionals are having a mixer event tomorrow in the Lincoln Park area. It’ll be interest to see how events out here are different & similar to Silicon Valley events. Here are the details of the event:

Take a Summer Vacation with YPC

Event: YPC Happy Hour
Date: Thurs. June 28th 7:00pm – 10:00pm
Location: John Barleycorn (Lincoln Park)
658 W. Belden Ave ( map )
Cost: $20 YPC Members
$30 Non-Members
Who: Everyone is Welcome!
RSVP: social@ypchicago.org

Does anyone know if jeans are appropriate attire out here in Chicago?

UPDATE:  The event was great. Some highlights: I had a great chat about politics with the Publisher of Chicagolifestyle Magazine. Also, met a number of people who work at humatal a recruiting firm which seems to have their priorities straight (taking care of the talented people they work with). Everyone without exception was very friendly.

Moving name giving ceremony

Last night part of shabbat services included a naming ceremony for a little girl. It was particularly moving because she was recently adopted. The Rabbi had the mother, grandmother, and aunt (mother’s sister), come up. They each read bits of the torah along with their wishes for the girl. All 3 women were moved to tears of joy. Between the little girl’s family and the rest of us, there was so much warmth in the room.

3 interesting things about Chicago

1) Motorcyclists don’t have to wear helmets

Credit: ChicagoEye

2) It’s warm at night
3) People drive aggressively (we’re talking LA driving)